Adjustable implant assembly
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsThomas Gamache, Michael Varieur, Kenneth Connell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An implant assembly includes a screw body, including anchor portion and proximal head portion, and a cradle movably mounted in the screw body to allow for controlled angulation between a spinal connection element disposed in the cradle and the screw body. The cradle is pivotable in one or more selected directions about one or more axes relative to the screw body. The cradle may be generally, substantially spherical in shape and allow for unrestricted movement in one or more directions around one or more axis.
Claims20
An implant assembly comprising:
- a bone anchor having a distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis configured to engage bone;
- a proximal head portion connected to the bone anchor;
- and
- a cradle within the proximal head portion for receiving a spinal fixation element, wherein the cradle can move relative to the proximal head portion allowing the spinal fixation element to pivot relative to the head portion.
A method of connecting a spinal fixation element to a vertebral or pelvic body, comprising the steps of:
- inserting first implant assembly into a first vertebral or pelvic body, the implant assembly comprising a bone anchor having a distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis configured to engage bone;
- a proximal head portion connected to the bone anchor;
- and
- a cradle within the proximal head portion for receiving a spinal fixation element,
- wherein the cradle can move relative to the proximal head portion
- allowing the spinal fixation element to pivot relative to the head portion;
- inserting a first portion of a spinal fixation element in a cradle of the first implant assembly;
- and
- adjusting an orientation of the spinal fixation element relative to proximal head portion of the first implant assembly.
An implant assembly comprising:
- a bone anchor having a distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis configured to engage bone;
- a proximal head portion connected to the bone anchor;
- and
- a substantially spherical body within the proximal head portion configured to be movable in relation to the proximal head, the substantially spherical body comprising:
- a lower element defining a lower portion of a central bore;
- and
- an upper element defining an upper portion of the central bore and configured to mate with the lower portion to form a central bore for receiving a spinal fixation element,
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.